Quilting In My Hollow Like Crazy!

I want to share with you just a few pictures of what you would have seen in my quilt studio this week. The above photo is a small stack of quilts that I will show in detail later. These still need to be sent back to the owners who blog and I'm sure would like to see and share with you first.

I also quilted a couple of very large tops. This postage stamp is has been mailed back to Carol.

Here is a closer look at the quilting she chose. I absolutely love it!

This quilt is from a Thimbleberries pattern and the customer wanted snowflake quilting. Won't this be wonderful on a bed at Christmas this year?

The quilt measured 103" x 85" and makes me want a two-color quilt of my own! This customer doesn't have a blog but found that I was a longarm quilter through my blog. All inquiries welcome!

While checking the underside of the quilt on the frame I spotted this cute little snowflake and just had to snap a photo!

I'll be gone from this Wednesday through Sunday to my longarmer's retreat in Atlanta, GA. My husband will be here to receive quilt tops sent to me in the mail so no worries for you!

Here I Am!

Well, I didn't fall off the face of the earth this past week but did go missing for a bit. We got a call that my husband's 94 year old Uncle Bud passed away. My husband cut his business trip short and we went to Kentucky for the funeral.

Uncle Bud celebrated his 71st wedding anniversary to wife Garnet just one week prior to his passing. SEVENTY-ONE years of married life I said!

I have to share a very sweet story with you. I'm originally from the Bay Area, California and never left the state until my early 20's. My first big trip was with my husband to Kentucky to spend our vacation on a FARM. I mentioned I'm a Bay Area gal right? OMG....I had the best time and everything was new to me! The barn, a tractor, pond, cows, garden, lightening bugs, june bugs....oh the list goes on! I was fascinated with it all and loved it.

Uncle Bud and Aunt Garnet had a small little farm house and on the side yard were big shade trees that Uncle Bud would sit under and just whittle away while visiting whoever was over. This particular day happened to be his nephew, my husband. From the shade trees you could see both front door and side back door of the farm house.

One day Aunt Garnet hollers at me, "Come on Mary, let's go get us some potatoes." I quickly grab my purse and head out the front door. In the meantime, Aunt Garnet grabs her shovel and is standing at the back door near the garden.

The guys under the tree had a good laugh. Need I say more?

The photo above has nothing to do with my story but I wanted to share such a pretty quilt with you! The blocks are just 5". You can see more about this quilt here.

I haven't had a chance to catch up on blogs....I'm getting there.....thinking about you!

Scrap-Basket Sensations Book Winner!

Look at the stack of books being given away! One is going to my lucky winner! Woo Hoo! But first....

This weekend was marathon piecing and quilting for me. Many of you asked how am I doing it so fast? Well I can honestly say that my DH was away this weekend so all I've done is quilt to my heart's content! Late last night I finished getting the sashing and post sewn on the blocks. Mind you that I am not a late night quilter but I think the coffee I had earlier in the evening may have taken effect on me. Then up early this morning I attached borders, loaded the backing and started quilting.

Here is a close up view of quilting. I used a swirly maple leaf sort of design because it mimics the border and backing. Every bit of this fabric has been in my stash for YEARS! The backing is a very good quality Thimbleberries flannel that I purchased way back in the 90's. This is going to be one very comfy cozy lap quilt!

TA DA! My son is holding up my nearly finished Scrap-Basket Paddle Wheels quilt. Once I bind it will go into the wash for a good crinkle! I'm telling you!! If you have scraps you want this book!

Here is a photo just because. "Blessings from the Hollow" quilt hangs on the couch in my living area.

Now for the moment you've been waiting for right?!

My winner is VALERIE Z who said: This book is perfect for collecting all the wonderful jelly rolls out there! Civil war fabrics are one of my favorites and my stash is just waiting to make all the patterns in this book! Wonderful reading your "tour" today - and you're right housework can wait!

Congrats Valerie Z I'll email you and pass your name on to Kim Brackett so she can sign your winning copy of Scrap-Basket Sensations!

There are still many opportunities to win your signed copy! Go to Kim's blog, Magnolia Bay Quilts for the list of blogs and dates!

Thank you Kim Brackett for this absolute fun book! I've now enjoyed making four quilts from this book! I think the most I've ever made from any of the quilt books I own.

Scrap-Basket Sensations Book Give Away Reminder

It has been a marathon day of piecing here at Quilt Hollow. I'm loving Kim's pattern Scrap Basket Paddle Wheel from her new book Scrap-Basket Sensations and you will too! If you haven't already and want to win a signed copy of her AWESOME book please do so on my previous post! Only names on the previous post will be in the draw that ends Sunday afternoon.

Best part of making Scrap Basket Paddle Wheel is using up scraps that I've had in the 2.5" bin forever! Seriously, there are some fabrics that I bought way back when I worked in a quilt shop in 1997.

I plan to get a border on in the morning and quilted by afternoon when I announce my winner! Good luck! You want this book!!!

More chances to win with the blog hop listed here at Kim's BLOG!!

Scrap-Basket Sensations Blog Tour Day 2

This giveway is now closed! No more entries please. The winner will be announced today!!! Let me ask you a few questions before I get started. How many of you "collect" jelly rolls? What about fabrics you just had to have and tossed into your stash?

Welcome to my blog. My name is Mary Flynn and I had the honor of making two quilts from Kim Brackett's latest book called, Scrap-Basket Sensations. I know first hand that this book is a MUST especially if you answered yes to the questions above.

This is Kim's second book. Her first book Scrap-Basket Surprises is a bestseller; both books can be found for purchase at Martingale & Company, Amazon, or ask for it at your local quilt shop.

There are 18 quilts all designed using 2.5" strips. Grab your jelly rolls or start cutting your own fabric stash into 2.5" strips! You want this book! (You might even win yourself a signed copy here!)

The two quilts I made in the book are called, Lake Cabin and Blessings from the Hollow.

Lake Cabin was made using lots of civil war-era reproduction prints. I loved how the sashing stars seemed to magically appear as I stitched the rows together.

Blessings from the Hollow was made with two jelly rolls of the same line of fabric. Kim's pieced border is my favorite part of this quilt.

I'd like to share a little secret that I think is unique about this book. There were three quilting bloggers who helped make the quilts for Kim's book. Did you notice the name "Blessings from the Hollow?" I love the personalization towards my blog and the same goes for the other two bloggers you will meet during your blog tour days. See if you can notice it or they may even mention it.

Scrap-Basket Sensation's pattern Town Square intrigued me because the look of the triangles in the corners of the blocks. I quickly made Town Square using the same fabric line as Kim's in the book; a variety of 2.5" strips would be pleasing too!

I'm now making the quilt called Scrap-Basket Paddle Wheel. (sorry photo turn!) The blocks for this quilt are fun, fast and easy to piece.

I grabbed my 2.5" strips and had four blocks pieced within an hour! They have become addicting to make. Seriously, I don't think I have ever whipped up an 11.5" block so quickly!

This book is perfect for all skill levels. The instructions are clear and concise right down to the little pressing direction arrows. Kim also shares with you how she sorts an stores her 2.5" strips and choosing fabrics for a project.

I thought it would be fun to ask Kim a few questions for the tour:

Me: How many more patterns have you designed that have not been published yet and will there be a third book to the series of Scrap-Basket books? If not, would you consider single patterns for purchase in the future?

Kim: There are lots more designs, but I haven't considered a third book yet, and at this tme, I'm not considering publishing individual patterns (although you know I'm an expert at changing my mind!). I do have a couple of designs that I intend to share on my blog (Magnolia Bay Quilts) as soon as I find time to make them.

Me: What is your favorite snack or drink to enjoy during quilt time?

Kim: Coffee! And sometimes Skittles (not as messy as chocolate).

Me: You work full-time and have published this second book; how do you juggle it all?

Kim: I'm definitely not a "juggler." The book would never have finished in time had it not been for wonderful friends helping with the quilts, and my helpful and patient husband. And you would be amazed by what you can accomplish when you give up housework!

A big thanks to Kim Brackett for spending countless hours on creating not one but two amazing Scrap-Basket books simply using 2.5" strips. She's a genius!

Now be sure to visit Stephanie at Loft Creations tomorrow for Day 3 of the Scrap-Basket Sensations Blog Tour and leave a comment here for a chance to win a signed copy! I plan to draw a name this coming Sunday afternoon. Good Luck! THIS GIVEWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

OMGoodness!!

A while back I posted about a new book to me called, "Stars by Magic." I'm addicted to this book's instructions for making star blocks. This past Sunday I whipped up this little one block mini quilt.

Did you see the quilt in my previous post? I received an astounding number of comments and tried to respond to each one. Well, here is the TWIN! Marcie made two different but similiar quilts. You can learn more about the happy news Marcie shares at her blog.

Look closely! I've folded quilt #1 over the top of quilt #2 for you to see how similiar they are. Do you have a favorite?

Ooooo look at this wonderful stack of Kim Brackett's new book called, "Scrap-Basket Sensations." These will be given away during the Scrap-Basket Sensation Blog Tour starting tomorrow with Sherri. Be sure you come back here on Friday for my day on the tour to see what I've got to say and for your chance to win a copy of the book! To see all the blogs participating and dates go to Kim Brackett's blog.

Marcie's Scrappy Star Baby Quilt

Thought I would share with you one of Marcie's quilts I finished this past week.

Marcie's baby quilt had nice open spaces to show custom quilting. The outer border is a 1" checkerboard squares...oodles of them. The colors are wonderful with lots of my favorite civil war fabrics.

It's a keeper! Bummer not mine to keep.

Sentimental Day Here In My Hollow

Town Square quilted, bound, washed, dried and crinkle goodness. This is one comfy and cozy lap size quilt!
The pattern for Town Square can be found in Kim Brackett's new book Scrap-Basket Sensations.

I wanted to share with you this memory quilt. My friend Pam (no blog) made it for a friend whose husband passed last year. While I worked on this quilt I couldn't help but think just how much this quilt is going to mean to Pam's friend.

Cherish each moment spent with your loved ones.